Nuggets Dumpster Fire

[DefenseWinsChamps]

2-3 on the year, but make no mistake, this team is a dumpster fire.

Mudiay has taken a step back. He is now 19-70 on the season (27%). That number is likely to regress up, but his shooting percentages were awful last year too, so how far?

Jokic has actually taken a step back too, largely because Nurkic has been so good. But Jokic and Nurkic can't really play together.

On top of that, they have 46 million invested this year in 4 players who all are best at small ball 4, not to mention a couple other interesting prospect bigs.

Someone will be traded this season. I think they like Arthur as a backup. Faried, Gallinari, and Chandler all seem like they could be traded. I also think Jokic will end up being part of a trade at some point.

To make salaries work, we'd have to give up Amir or Jerebko, Young, and Mickey.

Thoughts? Any interest? Is this a backup plan if NO, IND, SAC, or LAC all stand pat?

[Redz]

I like Chandler, but he's been so banged up

[celticsclay]

I realize there has been some health issues but they needed to trade Faried and chandler like 3 years ago. There is no reason to have those guys on that team.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Jokic is a borderline franchise player.  I think they strip the team and rebuild around him.  He's not getting traded

[saltlover]

I realize there has been some health issues but they needed to trade Faried and chandler like 3 years ago. There is no reason to have those guys on that team.

Chandler was bad luck.  He signed a reasonable extension and then got lost for the season weeks later.  Faried apparently they'd have to trade an additional asset just to get rid of.  No one wants him at this point except fans who only look at box scores.

[max215]

Oh man, if we could get one of Jokic/Nurkic... Much like in Philly, those two cannot play together, and they're both better than Noel/Okafor.

[saltlover]

Oh man, if we could get one of Jokic/Nurkic... Much like in Philly, those two cannot play together, and they're both better than Noel/Okafor.

I hope those two figure it out together before Denver includes one as their centerpiece in a Cousins deal.  They've got the only coach who's he's completely bought into, and a lot of young players to package to SAC.

[jpotter33]

Oh man, if we could get one of Jokic/Nurkic... Much like in Philly, those two cannot play together, and they're both better than Noel/Okafor.

I hope those two figure it out together before Denver includes one as their centerpiece in a Cousins deal.  They've got the only coach who's he's completely bought into, and a lot of young players to package to SAC.

Cousins won't agree to a Denver trade anyways (they'd really be no better off than Sacramento is now), so I don't think that's something really to worry about. As little time as Cousins still has on his contract, his word about resigning is going to be key to any potential destination he gets traded to. He liked Malone, but I don't think he'd re-up there long-term. With what they'd have to give up to get him, they're probably not any more likely to reach that playoffs than the Kings.

[saltlover]

Oh man, if we could get one of Jokic/Nurkic... Much like in Philly, those two cannot play together, and they're both better than Noel/Okafor.

I hope those two figure it out together before Denver includes one as their centerpiece in a Cousins deal.  They've got the only coach who's he's completely bought into, and a lot of young players to package to SAC.

Cousins won't agree to a Denver trade anyways (they'd really be no better off than Sacramento is now), so I don't think that's something really to worry about. As little time as Cousins still has on his contract, his word about resigning is going to be key to any potential destination he gets traded to. He liked Malone, but I don't think he'd re-up there long-term. With what they'd have to give up to get him, they're probably not any more likely to reach that playoffs than the Kings.

Firstly, Cousins doesn't have to agree to a trade.
Secondly, Denver would like to make a splashy acquisition of some sort.  Getting Boogie would be right in their alley.
Thirdly, he really liked Malone.  I'm fairly sure he'd at least sign a couple year extension with them.

[max215]

Oh man, if we could get one of Jokic/Nurkic... Much like in Philly, those two cannot play together, and they're both better than Noel/Okafor.

I hope those two figure it out together before Denver includes one as their centerpiece in a Cousins deal.  They've got the only coach who's he's completely bought into, and a lot of young players to package to SAC.

Yep, I worry about them when it comes to Cousins. They could build a package based on young talent that we don't have, and they could have a reasonable expectation of keeping him with Malone there.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I've thought about the Cousins situation, but like the Griffin rumors last year, I don't think they would want to gut their team for a short-term contract. Maybe if the Kings only wanted Nurkic, Faried, and one other rotation guy, the Nuggets would consider it.

I like Chandler a lot. He can play in a championship series. He would be a great upgrade to Jerebko.

I notice no one is talking about Gallinari on here? Last year, everyone wanted him. If he wasn't so injury prone, he would be an ideal scorer (would he start at the 4?).

Faried is an interesting option. I'm just not sure he is that much better than Amir. In fact, I think Amir is a smarter basketball player and better post defender. Faried does bring more energy and gets rebounds though.

I agree with the poster who said that Jokic is a borderline franchise cornerstone. He reminds me a bit of Dirk. But I'm curious if the Nuggets think this way. He is averaging 23 minutes a game, while Nurkic averages 27. His usage rate while he is on the court is 21%, while Nurkic's is 23%. What's Malone's style? Hard-nosed defense. Slow-paced.  Intentional offense focused around the post. I just wonder if Jokic isn't a good fit for them, but can you imagine him in CBS's offense?

[max215]

I've thought about the Cousins situation, but like the Griffin rumors last year, I don't think they would want to gut their team for a short-term contract. Maybe if the Kings only wanted Nurkic, Faried, and one other rotation guy, the Nuggets would consider it.

I like Chandler a lot. He can play in a championship series. He would be a great upgrade to Jerebko.

I notice no one is talking about Gallinari on here? Last year, everyone wanted him. If he wasn't so injury prone, he would be an ideal scorer (would he start at the 4?).

Faried is an interesting option. I'm just not sure he is that much better than Amir. In fact, I think Amir is a smarter basketball player and better post defender. Faried does bring more energy and gets rebounds though.

I agree with the poster who said that Jokic is a borderline franchise cornerstone. He reminds me a bit of Dirk. But I'm curious if the Nuggets think this way. He is averaging 23 minutes a game, while Nurkic averages 27. His usage rate while he is on the court is 21%, while Nurkic's is 23%. What's Malone's style? Hard-nosed defense. Slow-paced.  Intentional offense focused around the post. I just wonder if Jokic isn't a good fit for them, but can you imagine him in CBS's offense?

Gallo would be a really nice fit for us at the 4, but he's always injured, is about to become very expensive, and adores Denver and really wants to stay there.

[SuddenFame]

I love Jokic.  Where should Danny start when he calls Denver's front office?  How much is too much?

How about the Nets 2018 pick and Marcus Smart?  Maybe Smart is the toughness that team needs, but they would probably want a shooter in return.

[alldaboston]

If we can't get either of these guys, and if cousins is not attainable, I wonder how people would feel if we went for Willie Cauley-Stein instead.

[nickagneta]

I just do not see a Denver fire sale. Not every GM in the league belueves you have to strip your team down to nothing in order to rebuild. Mudiay is still extremely young and Jokic is a talent. Its also good to keep some vets that can provide locker room leadership. Yes I foresee one of Faried, Chandler and Gallo getting traded and also maybe Nurkic but I don't see Denver stripping everything down to nothing to tank on a rebuild